OUR COLLECTION — ASIA — KYRGYZSTAN 415. FARIDA'S NATIVITY

This Nativity is handcrafted from wool felt by Farida in the remote town of Naryn, Kyrgyzstan. The traditional figures are joined by a decorated yurt—the traditional felt dwelling of Central Asian nomadic peoples. The wise men wear nubby wool hats. The Joseph figure measures 4.5 inches to the top of his kolpok hat. The yurt measures 7 inches tall and 7 inches in diameter.

Farida works hard to help care for her two younger sisters and often-ailing father. In the past, she has needed to work several jobs besides making handicrafts to help provide for her family. Recently, orders for her handicrafts have greatly increased, so Farida plans to use the extra money to one day buy an apartment for her and her sisters.​Felt, or kiyiz in Kyrgyz, is manufactured through a laborious process. Sheared wool is first washed and dried. The dry wool is then placed on a chiy mat and whipped for several hours to make it fluffy. Next, the wool is sprinkled with hot water and the chiy mat is rolled up and tied with string. Once tied, hot water is poured over the roll in an open space and the roll is kicked and trodden on for several hours. This melds the wool together into a strong and durable felt. The chiy mat is then unwound and the resulting felt is left to dry.